Title and Author: Frozen Summer by Geetha Madhuri and Columbina by Cynthia Vincent DanielNo. of Pages: 170Publication Date:HALF BAKED BEANS (2015)Genre: Crime, Thriller, MysteryLanguage: EnglishBook Review:This book contains two novellas. The cover is really interesting. It is printed both sides showing both the books and the cover art is catchy.The blurb is intriguing and attracted me towards the book right from the start.Frozen Summer by Geetha Mhaduri is the story of a girl who finds her life thrown in chaos when her best friend is threatened by an unknown stalker. Trying to save her life, she is faced with challenges, danger, mystery and a chain of events that will change her life forever.The first thing that I loved about the story was the aura of mystery that the author manages to keep right from the start. The protagonist is not introduced. We dont know her name. The writing is engaging, simple and captivating.The situations are beautifully developed to give pace to the story and I got to know and feel close to the protagonist who is loyal, loving and dedicated to her family and friends. She is not concerned of the danger that she has put herself in when she goes forward to help her best friend who is reluctant to involve her in her problems. The love and care of her family had me liking her parents who do not think twice before giving shelter and protection to her friend.The mysterious stalker, the danger and the mysterious attacks and events had me frightened and yet glued to the story. I felt chilled but still could not take my eyes away from the pages of the story.The twists and turns had me gasping and while some I figured out beforehand but still could not help myself from getting shocked when the same deduction was disclosed in the story!The characterization is expertly done and I loved reading about them.At one place. however, the author confuses the protagonist and calls her by the best friend's name but still this is a small glitch and nothing major that in anyway dampened the interest factor of the story.All in all, Frozen Summer is a very promising debut by Geetha and I absolutely loved it. 4.5 out of 5 to it and strongly recommend it to everyone. I look forward to reading more from Geetha in the future.Columbina by Cynthia Vincent Daniel is another great story that this book holds. I was taken to Alcatraz in this story and felt the dread, despair and mystery of the most notorious jail in history.Someone is killing mysterious men in Alcatraz and leaving them in boxes. Who is the mysterious killer and is he in anyone related to Alcatraz?I have read and blogged with Cynthia in the past and so knew about her splendid writing skills but in this story she surprised me with an even better writing style. Her story flows from shock to another and one suspense to another. All through the story I felt like there were many mysterious in this one story but still the end wrapped everything up beautifully and truly shocked me with the solution.I hadn't seen the end coming like this!The characterization is beautifully done and the mystery associated with each one made the story more appealing and interesting.The notorious history of Alcatraz is beautifully merged with fiction and we get a novella that kept me at the edge of my seat throughout.All in all, Columbina left me speechless and I thoroughly enjoyed the novella. 4.5 out of 5 to it and strongly recommended to everyone. I look forward to reading more from Cynthia in the fuure.I absolutely loved the book and the two novellas it holds. A must read for everyone, this book left me thoroughly entertained and very satisfied with the time spent reading it!

I received the book from the author, Geetha Mhaduri and I am very thankful to her. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.